The National tribune., 1887-09-01
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
A STRANGE VISITOR.

az.
Washington, called 10 pay my respects"
:" Glad TO see you, comrade. Take chair
Where did you server"
. belonged 10 the 156th n. Y. My name
IS We were in the Army Of the Po-
fomac. lost my arm before Petersburg"
Where do you liver"
Z" live in Machias Cattaraugus Co., N. v"
"What business are you IN there, comradef"
81 was in the ministry for some time after
the war but for the last two years and half
have been serving the State of New York as
q patient IN the lunatc asylum"
Indeed" ] said, looking at him with more
curiosity.
Yes but I'm not particle insane. Some
of the best men in Cattaraugus County say that
am not. i watched my opportunity, and es.
capped from the hospital, and have tramped
all the way here to see you, and ask what you
think about it,"
well" / said. hesitating for an appropriate
reply; but he went on calmly, and apparently
very nationally:
Il thought 1 would go TO see the Commits
sioner of Pensions, and offer 10 submit 10
medical examination 10 determine my sanity.
lie has experts of the highest skill, aud if they
say Pm not insane can convince the people at
home"
THAT seems TO be rational step; I'd try IT,"
After some further talk he went out aud did
mot reappear for several days
Where have you been ;" asked
Been Go the Commissioner of Pensions, the
GAR Headquarters, and around generally.
Been treated royalty everywhere. EyeryDodys
been good to me-"
did the Commissioner order an examina-
tion for yon2"
90 no; bat it's ali right"
Aren't you afraid the asylum people viii
find out where you are and come for your"
90. no; they can't take me from outside Of
the State without showing cause, you know.
They've got to do that. I'd just like TO have
them come on here for me. Good day. III
see you again. I'm of Cor lunch now"
DEATH OF PROF. BAIRD.
The whole world has sustained a loss in the
death of Prof. S. i. Baird. the head Of the
Smithsonian Institution and the National Mu-
scum and the highest authority i'm the world
on all that relates 10 fishes He was born at
Reading Pa, Feb. 3, 1923, and graduated at
Dickinson College in his 18th year. He was
an enthusiastic student of natural history from
his earliest youth. After graduation he stud
ied medicine, but before he was admitted 10
practice he was appointed Professor in Dickin-
son College, which position afforded him OPP
portuniiy and leisure 10 continue his studies
in one year he walked over 1900 miles in this
pursuit In 1850 he became connected with
the Smithsonian in a subordinate capacity, hut
soon became Prof Henry's most Jealous and
capable assistant. After the death of that emf
nent scientist the whole charge of the institu-
tiOn fell upon him. and he did wonders in de-
yeloping il TO the proud position it at present
occupies.
In spite of this absorbing work he found
time TO carry on his abstract studies, 10 which
he devoted five hours day before going down
TO the Museum TO receive visitors AID attend
30 the routine of executive duty. His eminent
scientific attachments were recognized all over
the world He received decorations, orders
aud fattering testimonials from nearly every
Government in Europe.
Prof Baird was a large-f framed man, stand
ing over six feet high. with wel-nourished,
well-developed body. Unlike many scientists
lac was genial, approachabe and plesSant-as
ready TO talk with the casual visitor on any
scientific point as q Western farmer is to sit
down and chat about the crops. The last time
] saw him be was sitting ia his office in the
Museum, while a crowd OF visitors filed by him,
among them a number of his acquaintance,
with whom he exchanged CHEEKY greetings.
"What have you new Professor2" inquired.
"Mell we're just studying new deep-sea
fish brought in from the Caribbean Sea. Ii
swallows other fish which are larger than il u.s.
and we are trying 10 find out how it induces
Its victims 70 keep still while il performs this
operation"
FLASHED IN THE PAN.
The issue OF the imbroglio between Gems
Whipple and Burns, of Gen. Schofelds staff
resembles what one sometimes secs in a crowd
OF little boys ON Fourth of July. They will
fix up some extraordinary combination of gun
powder which they think will perhaps shak,
down the ncighbOring buildings when IL gOea
OF, and then stand around while the fuse Il
burning with awe struck faces aud fingers II
their ears When il docs 20 OFF il is with
weak aud impotent swish" When the tele
graph announced Gen. Whipple's application
for q c0urt-martial TO try Gen. Burns and CAV,
hint Of the character OF the charges, all Ga,
Army people and all the people who are IN
terested ia the Army people" stood rouns
vii far rael,
Every one had his or her theory of the cause 0
the quarrel between the two old officers AN,
his or her opinion as 10 who would be impli
sated by the startling developments" Tina
Shere would be startling developments M
one seemed TO doubt The interest was shar
pened by Gen. Schofeld's statement TO a re
porter that 1.-The matter was too delicate d
discuss" Matters that too delicate TO dis
cuss are just the ones that everybody wants q
discuss. Then somebody pretended to know
that all there was of IL was that Gen. Burn
had attempted 10 kiss one of Gen. Whipple'
servant girls, and the gallant Adjuiant-G enera
Lad resented the liberty attempted 10 be take
With his pretty Mistress of the Kitchen Rang,
Mcaughile everybody waited eagerly for tn
sOnvening Of the court-martial.
Suddenly IL WAS announced from headqua
tSrs that there Was 10 be no court martial!
The astOuDded reporters rushed over TO Coz
eTnOr's Island, where they found Gen. Burr
sitting plardly iu front of his house, which
next % Gen. Mhipples, aud finding much cor
teutment in a splendid cigar and the antics ,
his grandchildren playing the greenswart
JIG dad not know, or prolessed not 20 know
anything about the matter. Gems Schofel
aud Mhipple were found la the garrison clul
room playing billiards. Gen. Whipple ofliciall
referred the would be interviewers 10 Ge
bchOiold, who announced, with proper ofIici
dignity:
IL is true The charges have been wit
drawn. The matter haas been amicably adius
ed. Ii is al washed out There il no more
say"
And he would say more This is the WI
the thing ended with swish'
ADMIRAL CRAVEN DEAD-ADMIRAL FRAN
LIN RETIRED.
Rear Admiral Craven. II. S. NJ retired.
this city. died at the Charlestown Navy va
last week Of heart disease. He was on a vii
% his son. who II attached 10 that yard as Ci,
Engineer. lie was born in the District of {
lumbia, and WAS about 50 years of age. He W
appointed Midshipman from New Hampshi
Nay j, 1922; was commissioned as Command
IA 1882, and as Captain in 1861 command
the sioap of war Brooklyn, and participated
the attack upon and passage Of Forts Jacks
and ST. Philip, in the Mississippi River. aud
all the engagements along the Mississippi Riv
q lid. 4 A. a A